Plasma TV: Reviews

Updated November 2009

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Best 58-inch plasma TV

*Est. $2,140 Compare Prices

With deep, satisfying blacks and colors that are among the most accurate of any TV, experts say that the Samsung PN58B650 is an excellent choice among big-screen plasma TVs. Though most plasma televisions look washed out… in a well-lit room, the PN58B650 shines thanks to an effective light-filtering system. Video processing is another strong point, and the set is a good performer with standard definition as well. The red exterior styling is toned down from last year, which is either a plus or a minus depending on your tastes. This Samsung plasma TV is also available in smaller screen sizes, including 50 and 42 inches.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: CNET's report on the 58-inch Samsung PN58B650 is based on its hands-on evaluation of the 50-inch PN50B650, but specifications ...

ConsumerReports.org: The Samsung PN58B650 is included among the plasma HDTVs tested here. Reporting is competent, and discussion is more extensive ...

AVSForum.com: This haven for videophiles includes a lengthy discussion thread about the 58-inch Samsung PN58B650 and its 50-inch mate. You can ...

Amazon.com: There is only a handful of user reviews here, but most reports are encouraging. Most give the Samsung PN58B650 a perfect score, ...

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Best 50-inch plasma TV

Panasonic Viera TC-P50V10

*Est. $2,100 Compare Prices

Blessed with the deepest blacks of any HDTV, the Panasonic Viera TC-P50V10 delivers great picture quality and a bevy of features. A THX mode ensures technically perfect movie viewing right out of the box, and there are… plenty of image controls for those who want to make their own adjustments. Other features include Viera Cast, which allows access to some Internet features, YouTube videos, Amazon Video on Demand and more. The Panasonic plasma TV's "one sheet of glass" design is striking. The TV is also available in 54-inch, 58-inch and 65-inch versions.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: This report extensively examines the Panasonic Viera TC-P50V10 50-inch HDTV and compares it to the cheaper TC-P50G10. David ...

ConsumerReports.org: The Panasonic TC-P50V10 is among the 50-inch plasma TVs evaluated by ConsumerReports.org. Testing is conducted and impressions ...

AVSForum.com: This thread dedicated to the Panasonic TC-PV10 series of plasma TVs is lengthy and includes thousands of postings. You'll find ...

Amazon.com: Amazon.com is home to a handful of user reviews of the 50-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P50V10. Though there isn't enough feedback to ...

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Best 42-inch plasma HDTV

Panasonic Viera TC-P42G10

*Est. $950 Compare Prices

Panasonic's TC-PG10 series of plasma TVs -- including the 42-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P42G10 -- are a step down from the TC-PV10 sets described above, but it's a very small step. Picture quality is equally exquisite, and… most key features, including THX certification, THX picture mode and Viera Cast, are present. Key differences include fewer video controls in non-THX modes, less robust video processing and more sedate styling. The Panasonic plasma TV is also available in 46-inch, 50-inch and 54-inch screen sizes.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Home Theater Magazine: Home Theater magazine awards a Top Pick designation to the 46-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P46G10, which should perform similarly to ...

Sound & Vision Magazine: Sound & Vision magazine also tests the 46-inch version of this TV. Solid blacks and accurate colors in THX mode are a plus. ...

CNET: CNET's report on the 42-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P42G10 is based on the site's hands-on testing of the 46-inch model in the ...

Wired: Discussion is less detailed here than in other reviews, but opinions are based on hands-on testing. Bryan Gardiner is mostly ...

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org tests the 42-inch Panasonic TC-P42G10 TV for its current ratings. Discussion is expanded from what's been ...

Amazon.com: Praise for the 42-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P42G10 plasma HDTV is very strong here with nearly 60 user-written reviews. The few ...

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Budget 50-inch plasma HDTV

Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1

*Est. $750 Compare Prices

Among 50-inch plasma TVs, Panasonic's TC-P50X1 is an excellent value, balancing picture quality and price. The resolution is only 720p, but while that falls short of the 1080p resolution offered by more expensive plasma… TVs, most experts say viewers won't really notice the difference at typical viewing distances. Picture quality is solid overall -- including outstanding black levels -- but it's not defect-free. The plasma TV is also offered in a 42-inch screen size.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNET: The Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1 is the only current set on CNET's list of top "cheap" plasma TVs. Though the editors find plenty of ...

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org includes the 50-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1 among the plasma TVs reviewed in its current update. Testing is ...

PlasmaTV Buying Guide.com: Write-ups here are not as slick or detailed as other sources, but good technical information is provided and conclusions are ...

AVSForum.com: At a count of more than 2,300 posts and growing, this is a great resource for potential and current owners of the Panasonic Viera ...

BestBuy.com: More than 60 user-written reviews of the 50-inch Panasonic Viera TC-P50X1 can be found here. User satisfaction is high, with more ...

Amazon.com: Though there are fewer user reviews here than at Best Buy.com, the pattern of satisfaction is similar. Most give the Panasonic ...

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Panasonic Viera TC-P50G10 *Est. $1,300

5 picks including: Amazon.com, HDGuru.com…

Panasonic Viera TC-P42S1 *Est. $780

4 picks including: Amazon.com…

Panasonic Viera TC-P42X1 *Est. $650

3 picks including: Amazon.com, BestBuy.com…

Panasonic Viera TC-P54V10 *Est. $2,400

3 picks by top review sites.

Samsung PN50B850 *Est. $1,590

3 picks including: BestBuy.com…

Panasonic Viera TC-P46G10 *Est. $1,200

3 picks including: Amazon.com, Home Theater Magazine…

Samsung PN50B650 *Est. $1,240

3 picks by top review sites.

Samsung PN42B450 *Est. $680

2 picks including: Amazon.com, BestBuy.com…


	Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P50G10 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV from Amazon.com New: $1,599.95 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Panasonic VIERA S1 Series TC-P42S1 42-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV from Amazon.com New: $999.95 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Panasonic VIERA X1 Series TC-P42X1 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV from Amazon.com New: $749.95 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Panasonic Viera TC-P54V10 54" Full HD 1080p w/600Hz Sub-field Drive Plasma TV from Amazon.com New: $2,399.00 $2,096.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Panasonic VIERA G10 Series TC-P46G10 46-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV from Amazon.com New: $1,499.95 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Samsung PN50B650 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV from Amazon.com New: $1,599.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Samsung PN42B450 42-Inch 720p Plasma HDTV from Amazon.com New: $749.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:

Plasma TV: Reviews

Best 58-inch plasma TV

Best 50-inch plasma TV

Best 42-inch plasma HDTV

Budget 50-inch plasma HDTV

Plasma TV by Price Range